Hi all, one of my public art clients is seeking advice about appropriate budget amounts.

This is the largest project that this small client has ever undertaken, and it is creating a lot of heartburn for the key stakeholders.

The project is located in a mall, with thousands of viewers. There has been discussion of setting the budget at $90,000. From my perspective, the bare minimum for a successful project is $150,000. I have advocated that the ideal budget amount is $200,000.

I have explained that most artists working in the public realm are like small businesses, and have accrued significant debt while learning how to work successfully as an artist in the public realm. I have also explained that, because most public artists are sole proprietors, they often need a significant break after a big project, which is difficult to pull off if they have a lot of debt.

Your thoughts?